Archive for ‘Accessories’

Team GB are not only hosting the Olympics this Summer, they’re nailing them ! Make the most of the Olympic craze by sporting gold nail polish, accessories or even clothes with a hint of victory ! Here’s a celebration selection of sparkly and glittery clothes and accessories you can find in stores now :

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but I reckon diamonds have had their nose pushed out of joint ! Raiding the usual online boutiques, I’ve come across 50 shades of green, purple, blue, red and yellow, trapped inside cut glass or precious stone and clasped onto gold and silver findings. However, you know what Miss Catwalk is like, she likes to dazzle and surprise. This year’s shows saw jewels not only on wrists, fingers and necks but also… everywhere else ! So bags, tops, dresses, shoes and anything else you can think of are glamorously embellished – candy for the eye (and an easy trend to DIY) !

WHAT ?!

Chunky cuts, dripping drops and sparkling speckles of rich colour set in precious metal… It’s funny how fashion reflects abundance in a time of economic distress. When times become hard, signs of ease become literally bigger, separating the rich and poor at the glimpse of a hand. Of course nowadays we have highstreet fashion – an godsend for those of us who cannot afford to accessorize each season’s wardrobe with the latest luxuries.

Etro have some incredible necklaces, Erikson Beamon some very original rings and Marni some sophisticated amber accessories. But really, all you have to do is click on the jewelry selection on net-a-porter.com and you’ll see the most amazing choice of jewels of all sorts ! On the cheaper end of the market, Topshop, Asos, River Island and all the other usual favorites have done a good job of offering more affordable pieces, check out the “Jewels for under £30” selection below :

WOULD I ?!

I don’t like to go over the top on fake luxury and I certainly can’t afford the real thing but some of the above pieces are pretty well thought up and I have also had a bit of a go at DIYing gems too – take a look at this : nail polish painted over a diamante necklace :

What to do on a(nother) rainy day, hey ?! Get dying ! Here’s an introduction to tie dying, these steps will teach you to try your first tie dye project creating a splash effect. I did this on a tote because I thought it would be a great way to add that hippy trend to any outfit, but you could definitely try this on a tee-shirt or any other item of clothing. When you’ve mastered this, look out for upcoming tutorials on a more advanced level – its such a trend this year that I’ll be showing you lots of tricks and giving you tons of ideas to inspire you !

1 : Mix your die / Préparez votre teinture

Dyes work differently so follow the simple steps on the back of the packet. You will most likely need salt and warm water. I use Dylon dye because as far as I’m concerned its the best range out there. The colours last and the available spectrum is beautifully wide. (Colour here : Ocean blue)

2 : TIE / Attacher

For this you will need your hands and a few elastic bands. Pinch the center part of your fabric and randomly crease it all together. Wrap a rubber band around to secure the folded fabric. Repeat as many times as you like working towards the outside of the fabric and adding in an elastic band every 3-4 centimeters.

This is a DIY I’ve been meaning to do for ages, I just didn’t get round to buying the chains… Until this morning when I wandered into my local charity shop and found THESE ! “They’re perfect”, I squeeled. And we lived happily ever after.

Oversized tassels are a massive bag accessory lately and would you believe they’re the ea-si-est thing to DIY in the world ? I know, I always say that ! But somethings we take for granted without ever even taking into consideration how they were made. I was waiting at a bus stop not long ago, people watching, as you do. The lady sitting next to me had two massive tassels hanging off her leather bag and the bus took so long I had time to think up this tutorial… Every dark cloud has a silver lining !

This might be more of a reminder to some but maybe new to others – either way it’s definitely the perfect tutorial for a quick summer’s DIY. Friendship bracelet’s are all the rage this year but what’s even better is making them for yourself ! ; )

3 : Put one piece of thread in each slit, leaving slit number 1 empty.

/ Place un fil dans chaque fente, laissant la fente numéro 1 libre.

4 : Place slit 1 in front of you and count three slits clockwise. Take the thread from the third slit and place it in slit 1. This is what you have to do throughout the whole project – simples ! So you’re continuously taking the third thread clockwise and placing it in the empty slit.

6 : When your bracelet has reached the correct length, tie a knot, leave 1cm of thread and tie another knot. Cut off the rest of the thread. This will allow you to push the 1st large knot in between the end two, to put the bracelet on and take it off easily – just like a button hole.

The time has come : the Jubilee is on its way ! Apart from the joy of a four day bank holiday week-end, I reckon this Jubilee thing is going to be excitingly dazzling, delicious and FUN ! It’s definitely the perfect opportunity for DIYing, dressing up and wearing horrendously over-the-top bling.

I, amongst thousands of other overexcited Englishmen, will be attending the Battersea festival on Sunday, hoping to eat me some fine Victoria Sponge whilst people watching. The organisers are encouraging attendees to dress up for the occasion and there will even be a catwalk for the best dressed. I’m not so sure I want to strut my stuff in front of the whole of England but I’ll definitely have my camera out taking shots of who I think has a look fit for a queen’s anniversary !

As for my own outfit, I’ve decided to go for what I call a “Diamond in the Rough” look. This means I’m taking the whole Diamond Jubilee event with a bit of attitude and will be bearing sparkling bling DIYed in this very post along with a rock ‘n’ roll tee you’ll discover in a couple of days – and maybe a few other bits and bobs you’ll just have to wait and find out about (…meaning I haven’t decided what yet but it’s sure to be blingilicious).

Here goes the Jubilee bling tutorial which basically shows you how to cover whatever you can find in glue and glitter ! I used Modpodge because it’s PERFECT for sticking anything to clothes and accessories as well as tiny silver sequins to give the glitz that extra chunk and rock-star look. If you’re either particularly careful or particularly clumsy, you may like to use masking tape to cover up any part of your jewelry or shoes you do not want covering in sequins. Rip it off when the glue is dry.

The result is fab :

No – you’re not going to get any photos of me wearing them until D Day ! I’ll be taking photos of all my fav’ peeps and outfits at Battersea Park and will upload them to my Facebook page in a beautifully patriotic album named “HB Liz”… And you’ll find out why very soon !

Finally, may I introduce you to my new Jubilee friend, Mister Corny the Corgi : )

I don’t know if this is a wedding DIY, a festival DIY or just a summery DIY – let’s say all three. I have noticed these easy-to-make head bands in places like Topshop and River Island and think they’re so much better than an elastic flowery headband. They stay put and fit around your head perfectly, you can wrap your hair up in them or wear it down and most of all decorate them with whatever you like ! Knowing me I’ll be making all sorts this season, but here goes my 1st try.

All you need to do is wrap your wire into a circle the size of your head (measure from top of head to top of neck for a nice fit). Clip the ribbon into the wound wire and start wrapping around the hoop. Complete the whole hoop and clip the end of the ribbon into place with your first flower clip. Place the other flowers. DONE !